The 28th Amendment, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), has been a topic of intense debate and discussion in the United States
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. Proposed in 1923, the ERA aims to guarantee equal rights under the law, regardless of sex
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. Despite its long history, the amendment has not yet been officially ratified and added to the Constitution
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The ERA was first introduced to Congress in 1923 by suffragist Alice Paul, and it was passed by Congress in 1972
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. However, for an amendment to be added to the Constitution, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, which means 38 out of 50 states
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. The ERA fell short of this requirement by the 1982 deadline, with only 35 states having ratified it at the time
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In recent years, there has been a renewed push to revive the ERA, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned federal protections for abortion rights
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. Proponents of the ERA argue that it is necessary to protect against sexual discrimination and to achieve equal pay for women
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. Opponents, however, contend that the ratification deadline has long since expired and that the amendment is no longer needed
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In January 2025, President Joe Biden declared the ERA as the 28th Amendment, calling it “the law of the land”
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. However, this declaration has been met with controversy and criticism, as the National Archives has stated that the ERA cannot be certified as part of the Constitution due to established legal, judicial, and procedural decisions
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. Critics argue that Biden’s declaration is purely symbolic and lacks legal standing
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The debate over the ERA highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the United States. While the amendment has garnered significant support, it has also faced strong opposition and legal challenges. The future of the ERA remains uncertain, but its proponents continue to advocate for its ratification as a crucial step towards ensuring equal rights for all Americans.
For more information, you can watch this YouTube video about the Equal Rights Amendment and its history.
I hope this helps! Is there anything else you’d like to know about the ERA or any other topic?
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